Objective: To determine the frequency of low pain. 122 out of 173 (70.

5%) patients belonged to

back pain in forward bend sitting posture, forward bending posture. The working hour during
association between the forward bend sitting office was noted that 4-6 hour was the major risk
posture and low back pain. factor in 78 (45%) patients out of 173.
Methodology: A sample of 173 patients was taken Conclusion: Forward bending posture for
through purposive sampling from October 1, 2011 prolonged period was the major risk factor for
to March 15, 2012. The history of posture during job chronic low back pain. The prevalence of forward
& work was taken through structured questionnaire. posture was more in male as compared to female.
The duration of exposure and working hours in The middle aged population was main population
sitting posture was noted. The localized at risk and the working hours were critical. It is
mechanical chronic low back patients were recommended that posture awareness program
included. Data were analyzed using SPSS v 17. and workshops should be conducted in
Results: The age group from 31-40 was found to community centers. (Rawal Med J 2013;38: 253-
have chronic low back pain about 50% more than 255).
other age group. Forward bending posture in Key words: Forward bend sitting posture, LBP,
sitting was the major factor for chronic low back low back pain.
10
INTRODUCTION importance of working place. The low back pain
It is reported that 80% to 90% of western population can result from poor postural control and less
11
experience low back pain once in life time and most
stability. The purpose of this study was to find out
1
is related to the physical and mechanical factors. the frequency of forward bent posture and straight
This makes the low backache more complex and posture in the prevalence of low back pain and to
complicated condition which directly affects the determine the working hour and the exposure
2
quality of life. Low back pain cost annually almost duration relationship for the development of low
3
back pain. $16 billion. The chronic low back pain may be due
to the different diseases, injuries to tissues, stresses
4
METHODOLOGY
to different structures of the spine. Sometimes the
A cross sectional survey was done. Participants of
pain exist even after the healing or recovery of the
5
the study were of both gender and any age having
sensitized pathways of pain. The repetitive or
established diagnosis of chronic low back pain.
constant postural activities can increase its
6
Samples of 173 patients were recruited. The sample
incidence.
was collected through non probability purposive
The sustained working posture for prolong period of
sampling technique. History was taken and a
time is also a causative factor for the development of
7
questionnaire Performa was filled. The inclusion
pain. The most important factor of all these is
criteria were localized mechanical chronic low back
physical posture which is actually responsible for
8
pain and the exclusion criteria included
such type of pain. The posture during the working
inflammatory, infectious, malignancy and
hours makes the difference in the status of low back
9
congenital spinal problems. The data was collected
pain. The straight sitting posture and the forward
from Lahore and Sargodha. Data is analyzed
bend posture play a key role in balance of muscles.
through SPSS v 17. The chi square test was used to
An unbiased survey was conducted and reveled the
Original Article
253
Cross sectional survey of prevalence of low back pain
in forward bend sitting posture
Hafiz Naeem ur Rasul, Arshad Nawaz Malik, Furqan Ahmed Siddiqi
Riphah International university Islamabad and Pakistan Cricket board, Islamabad, Pakistan
Rawal Medical Journal: Vol. 38. No. 3, July-September 2013
21
determine the significance; the p<0.05 was the females are at high risk as compare to males.
considered significant. There is a direct relationship between the
occurrence of low back pain and the work place and
22
RESULTS the different posture adopted.
Out of 173 patients, 99 (57.2%) were male and 74
(42.8%) were females. 18.5% were in 20-30 year CONCLUSIONS
age group, 50.3% in 31-40 year age group and The forward bend posture for prolonged period is
31.2% were belonged to 41-50 year age group. the major risk factor for chronic low back pain. The
70.5% belonged to the forward bent sitting posture forward bend posture is more in male as compared
group and 29.5% of them were in group of straight to female. The middle aged population is the main
sitting posture. 18.5% were in1-3 working hours concern population for this risk factor & the
group, 45.1% in 4-6 working hours group, 25.4% working hours are almost critical in case of low back
were in 7-9 working hours group and 11% belonged pain.
to 10 and above working hours group. 10.4% were
in 1-5 year exposure duration group, 23.7% in 6-10
year exposure duration group, 34.7% were from 11-
15 year exposure duration group, 20.8% from 16-20
year exposure duration group and 10.4% belonged
to 21 and above year exposure duration group.
DISCUSSION
There are several reports related to role of postures,
the role of workplace, life style modification and
12
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Author Contributions:
Conception and design: Hafiz Naeem ul Rasul
Collection and assembly of data: Hafiz Naeem ul Rasul
Analysis and interpretation of the data: Furqan Ahmad Siddiqi
Drafting of the article: Arshad Nawaz Malik
Critical revision of the article for important intellectual content:
Arshad Nawaz Malik
Statistical expertise: Furqan Ahmad Siddiqi
Final approval and guarantor of the article: Arshad Nawaz Malik
Corresponding author email:physiomalik1@gmail.com
Conflict of Interest: None declared
Rec. Date: Dec 19, 2012 Accept Date: Apr 06, 2013
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